The Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber (BWCC) historically has been very entrepreneurial, having developed Maryland’s first highway information centers and one-stop employment centers and becoming the only chamber in America to conceive, develop and manage for 20 years a regional transit system carrying nearly 2 million passengers annually.
Now it’s on track to market an extensive Office Depot discount program to more than a million employees of federal and military agencies through an exclusive program with Office Depot and the employee welfare and benefits collaborative RecGov.
RecGov reaches the employees of federal agencies and military components through a web-based program as well as quarterly luncheon programs for MWR (Morale Welfare and Recreation) organizations and employee benefit associations.
Nearly 15 years ago the Detroit Regional Chamber in Michigan inaugurated a discount program with Office Depot for member companies. Rather than develop a more extensive sales force, the office supply company determined it would be beneficial to work through regional chambers of commerce, reaching their member companies.
Working closely with the BWCC, this benefit was then extended to employees of member companies through a no-cost employee benefit program.
The Detroit Chamber now has affiliations with 600 chambers in 42 states, including the BWCC.
Working closely with RecGov and The Detroit Chamber, the BWCC recently inaugurated a program to serve the employees of such agencies and military components as NIH, Fort Meade, Joint Base Andrews, USDA, the Social Security Administration, the Treasury Department and many more.
Savings Tool
The Office Depot discount program provides up to 30% off retail for a core list of more than 100 items, as well as 5% off retail for most other items, excluding computers and related technology hardware. It is an excellent benefit for employees and costs the employer nothing to implement. Employees can purchase in the store and online via credit card, with free delivery for orders exceeding $50.00.
Helping with the Office Depot Discount Program presentation to RecGov members and guests, from left, are: Jill Johnson, Business & Government account manager, Office Depot; Tammy Rehm, Office Depot; and, Cristin Stevens, Office Depot National Chamber Program.
“Since its inception, the National Chamber Program with Office Depot, administered by the Detroit Regional Chamber, has sought to provide tangible, valuable benefits to the chambers of commerce and their members nationwide,” said Cristin Stevens of the Detroit Chamber.
Now one of Office Depot’s largest group purchasing organizations, according to Stevens, “the National Chamber Program supports the needs of member companies of every size and represents more than 50,000 companies across the nation.
“Through partnership with the Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber, we are thrilled to join with RecGov and offer our program discounts to government employees,” Stevens said.
Government personnel appreciate the efforts, too, to provide increased value in these difficult economic times. The Office Depot program is now offered to all employees through the NSA Civilian Welfare Fund (CWF).
According to Tom Rayhart with the CWF, “Office Depot gave us great support in kicking the program off with give-aways and their representatives coming in and talking the program up. It has been very popular and much appreciated.”
The Office Depot program also is available to BWCC member companies and organizations to use for their employees.
To learn more, contact Cathy Barrett, COO, Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber, at 301-725-4000 or via e-mail at cathy.barrett@bwcc.org.
